Noticeboard

If you need advice when we are shut - PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU GO TO A&E

Find health help over the holidays through innovative NHS web app

East Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group is urging local patients to think before visiting their A&E department.

Residents are being reminded that they can use the innovative NHS web app, Health Help Now, to find the best place for treatment and advice when practices are closed.

Dr Elango Vijaykumar, Chair of East Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group, said alternative health services were available locally and the free, easy to use web app could help people to know whether to go to A&E or not.

“A&E departments are for serious life-threatening illnesses only and people should not use the ambulance service and A&E as an alternative to their GP if their GP surgery is closed.”, he said.

“If your GP surgery is closed, A&E isn’t the only option as you can use the Health Help Now web app, call the 24/7 free NHS number 111 or visit the NHS Choices website to find the right service.”

The Health Help Now web app is available at www.healthhelpnow-nhs.net and can be saved to any smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer for easy use.

It lists a range of services including GP practices, minor injury units, dentists, optometrists and pharmacists, and shows whether they are open or closed and their location. It also includes support phone numbers for mental health concerns and contains information on common health conditions and web links to reliable resources.

In just a few clicks, users of the app can check their symptoms, are guided to local services for treatment, and given real-time opening information. People can use GPS coordinates for their current location or a different location to find the most convenient service.

Health Help Now – the web app is available at www.healthhelpnow-nhs.net and will quickly help you to find the best place for treatment and advice.

Self care – people suffering from minor ailments such as coughs and colds, grazes and hangovers should treat themselves at home or visit their local pharmacy

Pharmacies – your local pharmacist is qualified to offer advice on health issues and medication as well as treat headaches, an upset stomach and other common illnesses

NHS 111 – NHS 111 is a free phone service that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It offers a one-stop number for patients with urgent, but not life-threatening symptoms

Walk-in centre – with no appointment necessary your local walk-in centre is managed by doctors and nurses who are available to deal with minor illnesses and injuries, such as cuts, burns, sprains and suspected breaks. Details of local walk-in centres in Caterham, Crawley, Horsham, Croydon, Purley, East Grinstead and New Addington are available here.

GP out-of-hours service – if you need to see a doctor when your GP surgery is closed, call NHS 111 (dial 111).

Travel vaccination and health advice—please contact us at least 8 weeks before travelling. Some vaccinations and all malaria tablets are not available on the NHS, therefore a charge will be made.

REFERRALS TO OTHER DOCTORS OR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Urgent referrals to other health or social care agencies will be made within one working day of the patient consultation. We will normally process non-urgent referrals within five working days of the patient consultation or the doctor’s decision to refer. Patients are encouraged to discuss with their doctor their choice of hospital.

Travel Vaccinations

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.

Information about countries and vaccinations required can be found on the links below:

It is important to make the initial appointment as early as possible - at least 6 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travelto allow the vaccines to work.

Travel Health Questionnaire

To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out the online form before coming to see the nurse.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or at our reception or on the HMRC website.

For any illness lasting longer than seven days you will need to see the doctor for him/her to issue a sickness certificate (F.med3) and for any subsequent renewal of the certificate. If your employer insists on a sickness certificate for 7 days or less a charge will be levied.

Find Local Services In Your Area

Enter all or part of your postcode in the box below and click one of the buttons
to find those services that are local to you.